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The village of Box is uniquely situated at a Gateway to the Cotswolds National Landscape, on the historic Great Western Railway line and Great West Way, stretching along the beautiful By Brook valley only 5 miles east of the World Heritage City of Bath. Located in the rural county of Wiltshire, Box offers a place to stay, visit, enjoy, and relax in stunning surroundings, allowing opportunity to step back in time through its cultural heritage.
The area has been settled since Neolithic times. Box Roman villa is a Scheduled Monument, and a Roman Road forms the southern boundary of the Parish. The Parish contains many buildings of national importance. Grade I and II*, of outstanding importance, such as Box and Middle Hill Tunnel Portals, Drewetts Mill, Hazelbury Manor, Rudloe Manor, and the Churches of St Thomas a Becket in Box and St Christopher’s Church in Ditteridge. Grade II, buildings include such properties as Box School and the Poynder Fountain. The Parish has four Conservation Areas, areas of special architectural and historic importance, at Box, Ditteridge, Middle Hill, and Ashley.
Historic Box Mill was bought by Peter Gabriel in the 1980s and converted into his international renowned Real World recording studios. Notable artists who have recorded at the studios include Robert Plant, Deep Purple, Harry Styles, Coldplay, and Tom Jones, and it is the headquarters of WOMAD.
Box is probably best known for its Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s railway tunnel and quarried stone. Views of Box Tunnel combine with his Road Bridge and magnificent Middle Hill Tunnel to celebrate a wonder of the Victorian age and one of the finest views of a historic railway line in the country.
Box also lays claims to being the birthplace of Thomas the Tank Engine as the popular children’s entertainment character was conceived by Rev. W.V Awdry when he lived in Box.
Hillside and underground quarries provided stone not only for the honey-coloured historic buildings in the area but fine country houses such as Longleat and Lacock Abbey, properties in Bath, London and exported around the world. A quarryman’s village grew up on Box Hill, the ‘Hill of Stone ‘, with stone yards, shops, cottages for workers, pubs, and Methodist Chapel. Box was famous for Box Ground Stone, a durable stone. http://www.boxpeopleandplaces.co.uk/ has a wealth of information on the village.
Box Recreation Ground offers a children’s playground, football ground, bowling green and tennis courts. It has thriving men’s and women’s cricket teams who play on the cricket pitch which WC Grace graced. A Rock Circus, a magnificent circle of rocks fossils and minerals, forms the centre piece of the village. Lovar Garden, adjacent, with its pond and bog garden is a haven for wildlife and a habitat for flora and fauna.
Kingsdown Golf Club, founded in 1880, is the second oldest Golf Club in the West of England (behind Westward Ho!) and a popular destination for golfers of all abilities.
The Parish has over 100 Public Rights of Way making it a hugely popular destination for people looking to explore the glorious English countryside. Long distance footpaths The MacMillan Way and Cross Cotswolds Path cross the Parish. The Box Heritage Trail a circular walk of 4.5 miles offers magnificent views of the By Brook Valley and details of quarrying, milling and Brunel’s Great Western Railway. Footpaths and bridleways pass through Commons, woods, and meadows, areas of significant habitat value for our native species of wildlife, which in some areas have been improved with tree and hedge planting. Box Common at the top of Box Hill is an example of one of the splendid viewpoints around the Parish.
A range of walking maps give details of the paths, suggested routes, and points of historical interest including https://corshamwalkingfestival.org.uk/heritage-trails/
A variety of pubs, restaurants, cafes, and shops can be found in the area, with plenty of places to stay locally from cosy B&Bs to 5 Star hotels. The village has even got its own airfield!
Box Revels which takes place every end of May Bank holiday commenced life as a medieval celebration of the patronal day of St Thomas à Becket. Box Revels has had a lot of in-carnations since then and each year brings different themes and ideas, but the two purposes remain the same; to bring together the whole demographic of the village in fun and entertainment, and to raise funds for community groups and projects.
Number of results: 173
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Devizes
Vaughan’s Cookery School in Devizes, Wiltshire offers a comprehensive range of classes that can be found on our website plus bespoke sessions for groups and corporate team building & away days. All are hands-on, creative and inspirational.…
Swindon
Roves Farm is a family run, working farm open all year round. We welcome visitors of all ages to come and enjoy hands-on farm activities with our friendly animals, as well as experience the sights and sounds of a working farm.
This summer join the…
Newbury
Jubilee is a traditional narrowboat purpose built for carrying passengers. It has seating for up to 29 passengers and the sides can be opened up to the fresh air in fine weather, but with protection for colder days. Jubilee is crewed by volunteers…
London
The British Museum was the first national public museum in the world, and today is home to eight million objects. Discover the vast diversity of human cultures from the dawn of human history to the present.
Bristol
Explore Bristol's Harbourside by ferry, go on a trip with friends or colleagues, or simply get from A to B without worrying about traffic
Newbury
Shaw House is one of the best preserved Elizabethan mansions in England. Over the centuries Shaw House has welcomed royalty, seen action during the Civil War, housed soldiers during World War II and schooled generations of local children. The House…
Devizes
60 feet long canal boat for up to 45 passengers with a bar, refreshments and on-board toilet.
Devizes
The Kennet and Avon Canal has 106 locks, six aqueducts, three tunnels, and hundreds of bridges, as well as miles of beautiful countryside and historic cities, towns and villages in between. The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust works to improve and…
Near Somerton
A Taste of England Tours specialises in individually prepared tours for guests who want to explore the heritage, landscape and culture of Southern England and sample the wonderful local food of this region.
Yattendon , Thatcham
West Berkshire Brewery is an independent brewery nestled in the heart of Berkshire with over 23 years of brewing experience. With our new state of the art brewery and packaging line we proudly produce traditional cask ales and innovative craft beers…
London
The London Wetland Centre is an award winning nature reserve, one of the 21st century's greatest urban conservation projects. The centre provides a safe haven for a wide range of wildlife and deliver a slice of the Great British countryside to the…
Henley-on-Thames
Home to the Stonor family for over 850 years, Stonor Park dominates a magnificent view of the beautiful deer park, woodland and 17th century gardens. Beyond the warm red brick Jacobean façade, a stroll through the house is a walk through history. …
Bath
Experience critically acclaimed exhibitions of historical and contemporary
art and events against a backdrop of renowned eighteenth century portraits, Renaissance bronzes, ceramics, silver and embroidery. The Garden Café serves fresh seasonal…
Great gardens, great cake. Enjoy a quintessentially British day out at one of 3,700 exceptional, private gardens. Relax with friends and family and find inspiration in nature. All garden admission proceeds go to the National Garden Scheme.
Find your…
Hungerford
Recently refurbished, Herongate Club offers pool, spa, gym and fitness classes, providing top quality equipment and modern facilities - not just for fitness and training, but also to host meetings, events and performances.
Swindon
In Butterfly World and the animal paddock meet the otters and meerkats and visit the Craft Village offering a huge range of beautiful and interesting handcrafted gifts. Take refreshments in the 'Butterfly Cafe' overlooking the butterfly garden.
Bristol
At the Lido you are invited to take time out and just do nothing.
The Lido is a cool, urban oasis tucked inside a courtyard of Georgian Terraces, nestled at the heart of historic Clifton, comprising of a spa, restaurant, outdoor heated pool, sauna,…
Hungerford
Hungerford Wharf used to be a busy industrial wharf but now is a popular area to relax, read about the history and watch the boats.
Tetbury
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum managed by Forestry England, is a remarkable place for people to enjoy and learn about trees.
Bristol
The Wave is an inland-surfing destination where everyone can surf and bodyboard on consistent safe waves every day of the year. It brings surfing, nature and a fresh way of thinking to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities - from a child…
Bath
Tales and Trails of the Regency City of Bath, recounting fascinating stories of famous and infamous Visitors and Residents.
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